West Springfield salutes veterans with parade, ceremony

WEST SPRINGFIELD — The city saluted those in uniform with a parade capped by rousing speeches at the Town Common in observance of Veterans Day on Monday.

Marching bands from the high school and middle school played patriotic tunes, and members of the Melha Highlanders contributed the skirl of bagpipes.

James G. Berrelli Jr., the city’s director of veterans services, noted that the parade was the community’s 11th annual such event. Former state Rep. Walter A. DeFilippi, a World War II Navy veteran, served as its marshal.

The parade concluded with a ceremony at the Town Common under sunny skies and attended by more than 300 people.

DeFilippi told the crowd that since the country’s founding more than 30 million have served in its armed forces.

“They gave us our freedom from England and they have kept us free,” DeFilippi said. “It is fitting that we honor them. Keep all of the veterans in the palm of your hand.”

Dr. Frederick S. Conlin, president of the West Springfield Veterans Council, told those in attendance that it is the soldier who gives us freedoms like the freedom of religion and the right to vote, not the preacher or the politician.

Ronald R. Colter, the city’s Veteran of the Year, spoke briefly. The ex-Marine noted after the ceremony that when he returned from military service in Vietnam the only people who greeted veterans of the Vietnam War were their parents.

West Springfield honors its VeteransWest Springfield honored their veterans at the Common with a parade, speeches,music and fanfare as a Thank You for Your Service in honor of Veterans Day.

Mayor Gregory C. Neffinger talked about the importance of having a moral compass with regard to faith, family and community and of the need to honor veterans.

“What a beautiful day,” Neffinger said. “Thank you so much for your service.”

Also speaking briefly during the observance were state Sen. James T. Welch, D-West Springfield; state Rep. Michael J. Finn, D-West Springfield; and Town Council Vice President John R. Sweeney.

The Rev. James Conroy of St. Thomas Church offered the invocation. The Rev. Robert P. Smith, the pastor of First Baptist Church, said the benediction. Town Councilor Lida M. Powell, an Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm and the Persian Gulf War, led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.